Meet Our Team
We take great pride in our innovative, energetic, and devoted staff. We are committed to helping every child as they embark upon this exciting educational journey. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.
Office Staff
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Preschool
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Flores CeciliaCecilia Flores Teacher Send message »
Hi, my name is Cecilia Flores. I have a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, and I’m so happy to be part of the team at Dorothy Hall. I truly love working with young children and helping them learn and grow. My goal is to create a safe, caring, and fun classroom where kids feel comfortable being themselves. I believe every child has amazing potential, and I enjoy supporting their growth in all areas—social, emotional, physical, and academic. Watching children learn through play, build confidence, and reach new milestones brings me so much joy. I also value the strong relationships I build with families and feel lucky to be part of each child’s early learning journey.
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Tansey JannettJannett Tansey Teacher Send message »
Hello, my name is Jannett Tansey. I have been working for Yuma School District One for over 15 years. For the last ten years, I have been in the preschool environment, where I have gained valuable experience supporting students' growth and development in both academic and social-emotional areas. I truly enjoy working with little ones because they are like little sponges. I like the community we build within the school, but especially our preschool program.
Kindergarten
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Cerda LuceroLucero Cerda Teacher Send message »
My name is Lucero Cerda. I grew up in Yuma, Arizona. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in 2018 and earned my bachelor’s degree in early childhood and elementary education. I am an AVID certified teacher. This is my second-year teaching. I am excited to be part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary team as a kindergarten teacher. I am sure we will all have a wonderful time! I believe children learn through meaningful experiences. I value hands-on activities, explorations, and collaboration. I love teaching to seeing growth. I believe all students are capable of success. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Children are sponges, soaking up every verbal and nonverbal interaction.” - Asa Don Brown
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Higuera EthanEthan Higuera Teacher Send message »
Hello! My name is Ethan Higuera, and I am very excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall family! This will be my first year teaching. I was born and raised here in Yuma, AZ, and earned my BA of Fine Arts at Grand Canyon University. After college, I started substitute teaching for two years and realized I can really make a positive impact on students' lives. My goal is to have each student leave my class with the skills and confidence to accomplish the next step in their education.
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Reardon MarcellaMarcella Reardon Teacher Send message »
Hello! I am Marcella Reardon. I have been an educator for Yuma School District One for 22 years. It is a privilege to be a part of Dorothy Hall Elementary School’s amazing kindergarten team for the upcoming school year. I have been a skilled educator of English for many years, teaching children whose primary language is other than English. I am looking forward to learning about the AVID philosophy and implementing its strategies in the classroom. I am a Yuma native and am proud to be a part of a community that is rich in culture and history. I am committed to helping children discover their talents and become the future citizens of our community. I believe all children can succeed, NO EXCEPTIONS!
“When you see something beautiful in someone, tell them. It may take a second to say, but for them, it could last a lifetime.” - Author unknown
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Velasquez LeticiaLeticia Velasquez Teacher Send message »
Hi, I am Leticia Velasquez, and I am excited to be part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary School staff. I received my bachelor’s of science in education with an endorsement in early childhood from Northern Arizona University in May 2018. This will be my second year of teaching. I am an AVID certified teacher, and I believe students can have meaningful learning experiences through collaboration and hands-on learning. I love teaching because I believe children have great potential. I am so excited to get this year started!
“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” - Albert Einstein
First Grade
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Durdovic EvonneEvonne Durdovic Teacher Send message »
Hi, I am Evonne Newell. I am very excited to be a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary school staff. I have the honor of teaching first grade. I have been an educator for over thirteen years and have been with Yuma District One since 2013. I am an AVID certified teacher and believe that all students are capable of success. I think that building a sense of community in the classroom and allowing students the opportunity to collaborate is important. It is also important to help all students foster a love of learning.
“Promise me you’ll always remember: You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” A.A Milne
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Marin AshleyAshley Marin Teacher Send message »
My name is Ashley Marin, and I’m very excited to be a part of Dorothy Hall! I graduated from Northern Arizona University – Yuma in May 2024 with a passion for education and student success. Before becoming a classroom teacher, I worked as a substitute teacher, paraprofessional, and dance instructor. These experiences helped build a strong foundation for my teaching journey.
My goal as a teacher is to create a classroom that feels safe, welcoming, supportive, and academically engaging. I truly believe that every child is capable of success, no exceptions. I’m passionate about helping students grow not just academically, but as confident, curious, and kind individuals. Teaching is more than a job to me—it’s an opportunity to help shape the next generation, and I take that responsibility to heart every single day.
“The only way to do great work is to love what you do." — Steve Jobs
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Raitter JenniferJennifer Raitter Teacher Send message »
Hi there! My name is Jennifer Raitter and I will be teaching first grade this year. I graduated from Northern Arizona University in May of 2020, with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a minor in early childhood education. I am an AVID certified teacher with experience as an AVID tutor. My passion is teaching students to become creative and divergent thinkers. I loved my experience as a student-teacher at Dorothy Hall Elementary school and I am very excited to begin my teaching journey here.
“One is never so tall as when one reaches down to help a child”- Unknown
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Sheppeard ReaganReagan Sheppeard Teacher Send message »
Hello! My name is Reagan Sheppeard, and I am proud to be a first-grade teacher here at Dorothy Hall! I was born and raised here in Yuma, Arizona, and love calling this community my home. I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Arizona State University, and I have had the privilege of working with students across grades K–8. Along the way, I discovered my passion for teaching and inspiring first graders. As a first-grade teacher, I am eager to build a classroom community that celebrates academic success, personal growth, fun, collaboration, kindness, and so much more. I wholeheartedly believe that every child is capable of success, and I am deeply committed to creating a supportive and encouraging environment where that belief thrives. Go Innovators!
"Nothing is impossible. The word itself says 'I'm possible!'" - Audrey Hepburn
Second Grade
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Argel MadisonMadison Argel Teacher Send message »
Hello! My name is Madison Argel, and I am proud to be establishing my career here at Dorothy Hall! I am a veteran dancer who fell in love with the art of teaching through teaching dance. I graduated from Northern Arizona University (Yuma) in May of 2024 with a bachelor's in both elementary education and special education with English as a second language endorsement. I was a paraprofessional here in Yuma Elementary School District One for three years before becoming a teacher, and I credit a lot of my experience to our local professionals! I have experience working in autism classrooms and cherish the importance of inclusion for all students. All students are capable of success, no exceptions! I am looking forward to my future as an innovator taking part in educating our upcoming generations.
“Don’t underestimate yourself. You are more capable than you think.”― Misty Copeland
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Hieber SondraSondra Hieber Teacher Send message »
Hi! My name is Sondra Hieber and I am proud to be teaching second grade at Dorothy Hall Elementary School! I received a bachelor's degree in elementary education with an emphasis in early childhood education from Northern Arizona University and have been in the classroom instructing since 2002. I believe in creating an interactive classroom where students feel safe to explore, ask questions, and take risks. My goal is to help students develop a love for learning and build a strong foundation for their future academic success. I strive to create a community of learners that nurtures growth in a positive and fun environment. I look forward to a wonderful year of learning with my students!
“No significant learning occurs without a significant relationship.''- James Comer
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Pereira AngelaAngela Pereira Teacher Send message »
My name is Angela Pereira, and I am a proud U.S. Air Force veteran with seven years of service and a proud mother of a 2025 high school graduate. I was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve always been passionate about making a positive impact and inspiring others to reach their full potential. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University and have over 11 years of experience teaching grades K–2. This year marks my tenth year with Yuma District One, and I’m honored to be part of the dedicated team at Dorothy Hall Elementary. Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with English language learners and have seen incredible student growth. I enjoy implementing the AVID philosophy in my classroom to help students develop strong organization, goal-setting, and critical thinking skills. I believe in fostering a classroom built on hard work, discipline, and high expectations. Every child has the potential to succeed—no exceptions.
“You can accomplish anything with students if you set high expectations for behavior and performance by which you, yourself, abide.” — Harry Wong
Third Grade
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Cochran NereydaNereyda Cochran ELA Teacher Send message »
Hi, my name is Nereyda Cochran. I am a Yuma Native and love everything Yuma! I graduated from Yuma High School (Go Crimms!) and graduated from AWC and Northern Arizona University with a bachelor's in liberal studies and a master's in education. I have been teaching for 15 years now. I previously taught at Gwyneth Ham and McGraw elementary schools for second and third grades. I currently teach reading and social studies to all third-grade students at DH. I had the honor of opening Dorothy Hall School in August of 2019, and I am excited to continue teaching at DH another year! I love teaching at Dorothy Hall for its vision–all learners will learn through collaboration and discovery. This is made possible through the programs established (KAH, STEM, AVID, Mentor Buddies) and the belief that ALL students have the spark to grow and learn! Yes, expectations are high in third grade-but our students are heroes, so they will meet those in a breeze 😀! I love inspiring my students the love of learning and the love of growing academically, as well as teaching them to read and to apply those reading skills to their everyday lives.
“Believe you can and you are halfway there.” Theodore Roosevelt. 💜
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Lee MorganMorgan Lee Science Teacher Send message »
Hi! My name is Morgan Lee, and I’m proud to teach third-grade science at Dorothy Hall Elementary. Born and raised right here in Yuma, I’ve always loved being part of this wonderful community. I earned my dual major in elementary education and special education from Northern Arizona University and have been in the classroom teaching since 2015. My biggest goal as a teacher is to spark curiosity and help my students discover just how exciting and fun science can be. I can’t wait for another amazing year of exploring, experimenting, and learning together! 🌟🔬🧪
“The important thing is to never stop questioning.” – Albert Einstein
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Venegas CeliaCelia Venegas Math Teacher Send message »
Greetings, Innovator families! My name is Celia Venegas, and I am one member of our fantastic third grade team. I am a proud “Yuman” and product of Yuma School District One (Go Jaguars and Falcons!).
This is my 11th consecutive year as a third-grade teacher - four years at McGraw Elementary and going into my seventh at Dorothy Hall Elementary. In my classroom, I strive to provide a learning environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and fun by integrating AVID strategies and learning through song. It is my goal to make every student’s confidence in their mathematical abilities grow, learn how math is valuable in their everyday lives, and ultimately love math! I look forward to meeting all of the wonderful third-grade scholars who walk into my classroom and impress on them that they are loved and capable of success, no exceptions!
“I'm not telling you it's going to be easy - I'm telling you it's going to be worth it.” - Art Williams
Fourth Grade
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Bobbio RocioRocio Bobbio ELA Teacher Send message »
Hello! My name is Rocio Bobbio, and I’m proud to be part of the Dorothy Hall team. I earned my bachelor’s degree in education from San Diego State University and my master’s degree in education with a specialization in global studies from National University. With nine years of teaching experience, I’ve learned the importance of meeting each student where they are and supporting their individual growth and success. I’m passionate about creating a classroom where students feel safe, valued, and motivated to learn. My goal is to nurture curiosity, kindness, and confidence as students develop both academically and personally. I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year filled with learning and growth!
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think." Christopher Robin
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Brewer CarlaCarla Brewer ELA Teacher Send message »
Hi! My name is Carly Brewer, and I am excited for another school year! I am from Holtville, California, and proud to have called Yuma home for the last couple of years. I was blessed to have been a student teacher here at Dorothy Hall during its first school year of being open back in 2020, and DH has been home ever since. Since completing my degree in elementary education back in 2020, it has been an honor to get to know so many students and families in our school community. Once entering my classroom, you will be challenged to be your best self, but will always leave being able to call it home. I am excited for the magical things this year will not only bring for myself, but for our kiddos. Hero up!
“Educating the mind without educating the heart is no education at all.” - Aristotle
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Flores PaulPaul Flores Science and Social Studies Teacher Send message »
Hi families! I’m Paul Flores IV, and I’m excited to be your fourth-grade science and social studies teacher for the 2025–26 school year. This marks my fourth year here at Dorothy Hall Elementary and my 20th year in the field of education. Over the years, I’ve had the joy of teaching in various settings, including summer camps, preschools, middle schools, and elementary schools.
I earned my BA in Educational Studies from WGU, where I was honored to receive two writing awards. My teaching philosophy centers around helping students become the best versions of themselves by providing opportunities for growth, learning, and achievement tailored to their unique educational journeys. Each year brings a fresh start and another chance to move closer to our dreams. Remember, it takes a village—let’s work together to make this a wonderful year!
"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" - Dr. Seuss
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Lagunas ShelbyShelby Lagunas Math Teacher Send message »
Hi! My name is Shelby Lagunas! I am so excited to begin my second year as the fourth-grade math teacher here at Dorothy Hall! I was born and raised in Yuma, where I have grown up loving the amazing community we have and truly wouldn't have wanted to grow up anywhere else! I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a B.S in special education and elementary education with an English as a second language endorsement! I have worked with students ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade in both general education and resource settings, where I found my passion for teaching math! I am so excited to share my passion with this year's fourth graders by creating a safe, welcoming, and collaborative space where all kids are capable of success! No exceptions!
"Our job is not to prepare students for something. Our job is to help students prepare themselves for anything." - A. J. Juliani
Fifth Grade
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Arzola AprilApril Arzola Teacher Send message »
Hi! My name is April Arzola, and I am beyond excited to experience my first year of teaching at Dorothy Hall Elementary School. This past Spring, I received my B.S in special and elementary education with endorsements in bilingual education and K-5 literacy from Northern Arizona University. Go Lumberjacks! 💙💛 I am proud to be teaching fifth-grade reading and writing at Dorothy Hall. My goal is to make every student feel safe, valued, and inspired every single day. When students are supported, they can grow not only as readers and writers but also as confident, kind learners ready to make their mark on the world. 📚✨
"Let us remember: One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world." - Malala Yousafzai
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Mireles MarianaMariana Mireles Science and Social Studies Teacher Send message »
Hello Innovator families, my name is Mariana Mireles. This is my second year teaching at Dorothy Hall. I earned my Master's of Elementary Education with a structured English immersion endorsement from Northern Arizona University. I am thrilled to bring my passion for science and learning into the classroom. During my student teaching at Dorothy Hall, I had the opportunity to work with diverse groups of students and create engaging, hands-on lessons that brought science to life. My goal is to create a classroom environment where all students feel safe, supported, and inspired to ask questions and discover new ideas.
"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world". –Nelson Mandela
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Serna PriscillaPriscilla Serna Math Teacher Send message »
Hello! My name is Priscilla Serna, and I am thrilled to be part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary School community. I hold a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Grand Canyon University and have ten years of teaching experience. My goal is to make a meaningful impact on my students by fostering a welcoming, safe, and engaging classroom environment where every child feels valued and excited to learn.
"You never fail until you stop trying."- Albert Einstein
Special Area Teachers
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Rutkowski AshleyAshley Rutkowski School Psychologist
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TBDTBD Speech Assistant
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Rutkowski AshleyAshley Rutkowski School Psychologist
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TBDTBD Speech Assistant
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Dorame JoseJose Dorame Art Teacher Send message »
Hi, I am Jose Dorame. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts in art education from Arizona State University in 1998. I have been teaching in Yuma School District One for 25 years. I am also a professional artist and belong to the North End Artists Co-Op.
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Olson AmyAmy Olson Music Teacher Send message »
Hi, I am Amy Olson. I received my bachelor of music in music education from the University of Arizona in 2004. I’ve been teaching elementary music for 11 years here at District One. I currently hold the position as principal bassoonist for the Yuma Civic Orchestra and have been playing bassoon for over 30 years. My goal is to instill a lifelong love of music in every child.
“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything.” - Plato
Support Staff
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Bickford CarolCarol Bickford School Counselor Send message »
Hi there, and welcome to the 2025–2026 school year. This is my fifth year at Dorothy Hall and my 40+ years in education! Prior to becoming a school counselor, I taught fourth and fifth grades and middle school in Yuma. I was born in Des Moines, Iowa, but decided to do a bit of seeing the country while earning my degree. I ultimately graduated from San Diego State University with my bachelor's in education before moving to Yuma. I never gave up on my dream to become a counselor, however, and I fulfilled this goal by earning my master's degree at NAU Yuma. My passion is to be able to help our students academically, emotionally, and behaviorally, and to be a resource for parents with the goal of raising happy and productive children. Please feel free to reach out to me.
"You are the only you that will ever be. You are kind of a big deal." Jen Sincero
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Fisher ChristinaChristina Fisher Reading Specialist Send message »
Hello, my name is Christina Fisher. I am so excited to join the team at Dorothy Hall Elementary as a Reading Interventionist. I graduated from San Diego State in 2003 with my bachelor's in liberal studies. In 2020 I earned my Master’s degree in reading with an emphasis in elementary education from Grand Canyon University.
I have been in Yuma teaching first grade for over 17 years. Over the past few years, I developed a passion for wanting to help children more who are struggling with reading. Pursuing this passion led me to work hard for a master’s degree. This way I can focus on targeting students in small reading groups to help them reach their goals. All children have the potential to learn. I cannot wait to begin this journey as an interventionist to help fill in the gaps and help children become better readers.
“If you don’t like what you read, you haven’t found the right book.” – J.K. Rowling
ESS Teaching Team
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Anthony DarnellDarnell Anthony SPED Autism Teacher Send message »
Hi, I am a native of Minnesota and grew up in the Minneapolis suburbs. I graduated from Dr. Martin Lutheran College and Mankato State University. I also attended UW-LaCrosse and Wisconsin Lutheran College for masters classes. I have taught in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Washington, and Arizona in the areas of special education and general education for learners in kindergarten through 12th grade. Teaching in different schools and areas including rural, inner city, and reservation in addition to being the parent of special needs children, has given me different experiences and perspectives. I know all children are capable of success, no exceptions!
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May McKenzieMcKenzie May Resource Teacher Send message »
Hello Innovator family! My name is McKenzie May. This is my ninth year of teaching. I moved to Arizona from Kansas to begin my teaching career with Yuma School District One in 2016. I received my Bachelor of Arts in education with an emphasis in ceramics from the University of Kansas in 2015. I received my master's in special education from Northern Arizona University in 2020. As an educator, I have had the opportunity to focus on empathizing with my students while maintaining productivity and an environment that celebrates individual student success. I strive to foster understanding in my classroom in order to expand the knowledge base of my students as well as nurture their emotional needs. Let's have a great school year, Innovators!
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Mendez GemaGema Mendez SPED Autism Teacher Send message »
Hi Innovators Family,
My name is Gema Mendez, and I’m thrilled to be joining this amazing community! I’m originally from the Yuma area and have spent the past 13+ years teaching in Yuma School District One. Throughout my career, I’ve had the opportunity to teach in a variety of settings, including elementary, preschool, and ESS classrooms.
I’m a proud graduate of Northern Arizona University, and my teaching philosophy is rooted in the belief that all children are capable of learning. I truly believe that every child is unique and, with the right instruction and tools, can thrive, regardless of any challenges they may face. My goal is to create a learning environment that is stimulating and inclusive, where students can grow academically, emotionally, and socially.
I’m so excited about this new journey and feel incredibly honored to be part of the Innovators family. I look forward to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections with all of you!
Paraprofessionals
Grade Level Paraprofessionals
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Frisch WendyWendy Frisch First Grade Paraprofessional
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Frisch WendyWendy Frisch First Grade Paraprofessional
ESS Paraprofessionals
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Calvert JessicaJessica Calvert Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
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Keist TylerTyler Keist Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Martin JanyssaJanyssa Martin Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Neris Gutierrez KimberlyKimberly Neris Gutierrez Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Nieman DemiDemi Nieman Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
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Schlager DanielleDanielle Schlager Paraprofessional for McKenzie May
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Simpson SaraSara Simpson Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
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Calvert JessicaJessica Calvert Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
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Keist TylerTyler Keist Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Martin JanyssaJanyssa Martin Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Neris Gutierrez KimberlyKimberly Neris Gutierrez Paraprofessional for Marsha Gomez
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Nieman DemiDemi Nieman Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
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Schlager DanielleDanielle Schlager Paraprofessional for McKenzie May
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Simpson SaraSara Simpson Paraprofessional for Darnell Anthony
Occupational Therapy Paraprofessionals
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Preschool Paraprofessionals
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Gonzalez AlejandrinaAlejandrina Gonzalez Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
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Juby LauraLaura Juby Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
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Avila IreidaIreida Avila Paraprofessionals for Jannett Tansey
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Ibarra CamilaCamila Ibarra Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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Lopez KrishnaKrishna Lopez Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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Maldonado LitzyLitzy Maldonado Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
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Gonzalez AlejandrinaAlejandrina Gonzalez Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
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Juby LauraLaura Juby Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
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Avila IreidaIreida Avila Paraprofessionals for Jannett Tansey
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Ibarra CamilaCamila Ibarra Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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Lopez KrishnaKrishna Lopez Paraprofessional for Jannett Tansey
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Maldonado LitzyLitzy Maldonado Paraprofessional for Cecilia Flores
Reading Interventions
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Tapia SherrylSherryl Tapia Fourth/Fifth Grade Paraprofessional
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Wright LindaLinda Wright Kindergarten/First Grade Paraprofessional
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Tapia SherrylSherryl Tapia Fourth/Fifth Grade Paraprofessional
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Wright LindaLinda Wright Kindergarten/First Grade Paraprofessional
Speech Paraprofessionals
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Freeman CarrieCarrie Freeman Speech Paraprofessional
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Freeman CarrieCarrie Freeman Speech Paraprofessional
Work at Yuma Elementary School District
Are you interested in being a part of the Dorothy Hall Elementary team? Please visit our district Human Resources page for current job opportunities and information.
